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The 9K33
OSA (wasp) is a highly mobile, low-altitude,
short-range tactical surface-to-air missile system. "9K33" is its GRAU
designation. Its NATO reporting name is SA-8 "Gecko".
The SA-8 was the first mobile air defence missile system incorporating
its own engagement radars on a single vehicle.
All versions of the 9K33 feature all-in-one 9A33 TELAR vehicles which
can detect, track and engage aircraft independently or with the aid of
regimental surveillance radars. The 6-wheeled transport vehicles are
fully amphibious and air transportable. The road range is about 500
km.
The radar system on the SA-8 TELAR received the NATO codename `Land
Roll', it was derived from the naval `Pop Group' radar system but is
smaller since it does not require the elaborate stabilisation system.
An improved system designated the SA-8B `Gecko' Mod 1, was first seen
in Germany in 1980.
It had improvements added to the launcher
configuration, carrying six missiles in ribbed containers. The system
is reported to be of the frequency-agile monopulse type. It consists
of an elliptical rotating surveillance antenna mounted on top of the
array, operates in H band (6 to 8 GHz) and has a 30 km acquisition
range against most targets. The large pulsed J band (14.5 GHz)
engagement antenna is mounted below it in the centre of the array and
has a maximum tracking range of about 20 km.
Mounted on either side of the tracking radar antenna is a small J band
parabolic dish antenna to track the missile. Below this is a small
circular antenna which emits an I band uplink capture beam to gather
the missile shortly after launch. The final antennas in the array are
two small white rectangular ones, one on either side of the array
mounted alongside the I band.
These are used for command uplink to the
missile. This twin antenna system permits the `Land Roll' radar to
control up to two missiles simultaneously against a single target.
Furthermore the two missiles can be guided on different frequencies to
further complicate ECM.
There is also a tubular device fitted to and
above the tracking radar, this is thought to be an EO/LLLTV optical
tracker. This would be used to track the target when the main tracking
radar is jammed by ECM.
SA-8 Specifications |
Type |
Short range
low altitude surface-to air-missile |
Manufacturer |
Russia |
Weight |
35kg |
Warhead |
19kg blast fragmentation with proximity and contact fuses |
Length |
3.2m |
Diameter |
21cm |
Performance |
Range 200m – 15,000m,
speed Mach 2.5+ |
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